ST. LOUIS�Those seeking escape from the turmoil of inner city life now have a place of refuge. In early November, just a hundred yards away from an intersection known for shoot-outs and late night parties, 600 Black leaders and politicians gathered to witness the grand opening of Masjid Al-Tauheed, a house of prayer built by the hands of former gang members.

For over a year, youth guided by Muslim leaders have worked tenaciously to rehab an old paint store and turn it into a house of worship.

The idea was born from the wishes of long-time political activist and Muslim mother figure, the late Betty Shabazz (of St. Louis). Ms. Shabazz was venerated amongst youth and Muslims in the community, and is attributed with stewarding the lives of many waifs in the city. She always dreamed of seeing a Masjid built in St. Louis that would serve as a spiritual center for the community. Masjids are Islamic houses of worship. Ms. Shabazz often carried a miniature model of a Masjid she hoped the building would resemble.

"Ever since I�ve known her, Sis. Shabazz wanted to see a place built where all religions could interact in peace," said Imam Marvin Syed, of Al-Tauheed. "We had various fund raising drives to broach the project but never were able to build one," he said.

Ms. Shabazz returned to Allah June �98. She never realized her dream.

In honor of their deceased mother, youth and community leaders pooled their resources and set out to make Ms. Shabazz�s vision a reality. With donations from leaders and the community they bought an abandoned building and began renovating it.

"Former gang members came in and helped us gut it out. People from all areas of the community began helping," said Imam Syed. Renovation took 18 months, but when finished, Masjid Al-Tauheed stood as an oasis in a desert of deteriorating buildings and litter filled-streets.

Tauheed means "Oneness with Allah (God)." Al-Tauheed�s floors are made of marble. The Mussallah (prayer room) is fully carpeted with a brass chandelier hanging at its center. During prayer, indirect blue lighting filters down from recesses in the ceiling�giving the likeness of an early morning sunrise as the sun breaks the plain of the horizon.

Al-Tauheed�s founders say that, though Muslims built the Masjid, it�s open to followers of every faith. "When the Holy Prophet had Bilal make the call to prayer he didn�t just call Muslims; he called everyone," said Imam Syed.

"The Kaaba was open to everyone. It didn�t matter if you were Christian, Muslim, or Jew�no one was refused," he said. "That�s what we wanted here. Al-Tauheed is for everyone. We�re calling all of St. Louis to prayer." Since opening, various religious groups have visited the Masjid. Christian workers from an adjacent doctor�s office visit regularly during lunch hour to read their Bible and take shelter from the commotion of the urban setting.

The Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan also sent a sizable contribution to the building of the Masjid, say builders. And though they wished Min. Farrakhan could attend the opening, the builders were honored by the presence of Jabir "Herbert" Muhammad, son of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad; Min. Donald Muhammad, head of Muhammad Mosque No. 28; and Sheik Ahmed Tijani Ben Omar of Chicago.

"If the Prophet (SWBT) were here he would undoubtedly give recognition to the accomplishment of these fine men, who rightfully deserve the respect and support of Muslims all over America," said Sheik Tijani. "It�s an example of (Islam�s) ability to reform a community from its shackles of moral decadence, crime and hopelessness. It was very fascinating to see."

Masjid Al-Tauheed has a computerized phone system that allows members to communicate with 17 prisons and 5 radio stations. Future additions include the erecting of a dome on the building with an illuminated Holy Qur�an rotating at its top.